The countdown is almost over as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off today, marking the start of the biggest edition of the tournament in football history.
For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete across three host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, with a record 104 matches set to be played.
The month-long spectacle will bring together the world’s best players, as nations battle for football’s most prestigious trophy.
The defending champions, Argentina, will be looking to retain the title they won in Qatar in 2022, while traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, France and Spain will be among the favourites.
The opening match is set for Thursday, 11 June, and will see South Africa open the tournament with a clash against Mexico at 21hrs CAT.
Africa will be represented by a record 10 teams, with Morocco holding the continent’s best-ever World Cup finish after becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
